Dataset Information

A novel mouse AAV6 hACE2 transduction model of wild-type SARS-CoV-2 infection studied using synDNA immunogens.

ABSTRACT: More than 100 million people have been infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Common laboratory mice are not susceptible to wild-type SARS-CoV-2 infection, challenging the development and testing of effective interventions. Here, we describe the development and testing of a mouse model for SARS-CoV-2 infection based on transduction of the respiratory tract of laboratory mice with an adeno-associated virus vector (AAV6) expressing human ACE-2 (AAV6.2FF-hACE2). We validated this model using a previously described synthetic DNA vaccine plasmid, INO-4800 (pS). Intranasal instillation of AAV6.2FF-hACE2 resulted in robust hACE2 expression in the respiratory tract. pS induced robust cellular and humoral responses. Vaccinated animals were challenged with 10⁵ TCID₅₀ SARS-CoV-2 (hCoV-19/Canada/ON-VIDO-01/2020) and euthanized four days post-challenge to assess viral load. One immunization resulted in 50% protection and two immunizations were completely protective. Overall, the AAV6.2FF-hACE2 mouse transduction model represents an easily accessible, genetically diverse mouse model for wild-type SARS-CoV-2 infection and preclinical evaluation of potential interventions.

SUBMITTER: Gary EN

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8186956 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Similar Datasets

Project description:Transmission of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in millions of deaths and declining economies around the world. K18-hACE2 mice develop disease resembling severe SARS-CoV-2 infection in a virus dose-dependent manner. The relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and the intestinal or respiratory microbiome is not fully understood. In this context, we characterized the cecal and lung microbiomes of SARS-CoV-2-challenged K18-hACE2 transgenic mice in the presence or absence of treatment with the Mpro inhibitor GC-376. Cecum microbiome showed decreased Shannon and inverse (Inv) Simpson diversity indexes correlating with SARS-CoV-2 infection dosage and a difference of Bray-Curtis dissimilarity distances among control and infected mice. Bacterial phyla such as Firmicutes, particularly, Lachnospiraceae and Oscillospiraceae, were significantly less abundant, while Verrucomicrobia, particularly, the family Akkermansiaceae, were increasingly more prevalent during peak infection in mice challenged with a high virus dose. In contrast to the cecal microbiome, the lung microbiome showed similar microbial diversity among the control, low-, and high-dose challenge virus groups, independent of antiviral treatment. Bacterial phyla in the lungs such as Bacteroidetes decreased, while Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were significantly enriched in mice challenged with a high dose of SARS-CoV-2. In summary, we identified changes in the cecal and lung microbiomes of K18-hACE2 mice with severe clinical signs of SARS-CoV-2 infection. IMPORTANCE The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in millions of deaths. The host's respiratory and intestinal microbiome can affect directly or indirectly the immune system during viral infections. We characterized the cecal and lung microbiomes in a relevant mouse model challenged with a low or high dose of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the presence or absence of an antiviral Mpro inhibitor, GC-376. Decreased microbial diversity and taxonomic abundances of the phyla Firmicutes, particularly, Lachnospiraceae, correlating with infection dosage were observed in the cecum. In addition, microbes within the family Akkermansiaceae were increasingly more prevalent during peak infection, which is observed in other viral infections. The lung microbiome showed similar microbial diversity to that of the control, independent of antiviral treatment. Decreased Bacteroidetes and increased Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were observed in the lungs in a virus dose-dependent manner. These studies add to a better understanding of the complexities associated with the intestinal microbiome during respiratory infections.

Project description:Purpose: The goals of this study are to compare the difference between WT and hCD147 mice, hACE2 and hCD147 mice lung tissues Transcriptomes after infection with SARS-CoV-2 Methods: After receiving anesthesia with pentobarbital sodium, each mouse of the WT group, hCD147 group, and hACE2 group was infected with SARS-CoV-2 by nasal drip at a dose of 3 x 10^5 TCID50. The lung tissues were take for RNA-seq at 2 dpi. each mouse of the hCD147 group, and hACE2 group was infected with SARS-CoV-2 by nasal drip at a dose of 3 x 10^5 TCID50. The lung tissues were take for RNA-seq at 2 dpi. Results: RNA-seq of lung homogenates from C57BL/6 and hCD147 mice at 2 d.p.i. showed 354 upregulated and 175 downregulated genes). hCD147 mice mediated strong inflammatory responses, including Th17 cell responses, the NF-kappaB pathway and MAPK pathway, etc. The levels of cytokines and chemokines were increased in the lung of hCD147 mice, such as IL6, IL10, ILbeta, CXCL1, CXCL2, CCL2, etc. Analysis of RNA-Seq data of hACE2 mice versus hCD147 mice showed that hACE2 mice had stronger antiviral responses, including type I IFN and IFNalpha/IFNbeta responses, while hCD147 mice showed activation of multiple proinflammatory pathways, which is consistent with clinical features of COVID-19 patients. The significantly upregulated genes during SARS-CoV-2 infection of hACE2 mice enriched in cellular response to IFN-?. The upregulated genes in SARS-CoV-2-infected hCD147 mice were enriched secretory proteins, including ILbeta, IL6 and CXCL1. Conclusions: CD147 mediates potent inflammatory responses in SARS-CoV-2 infection. RNA-seq of lung homogenates from hACE2 and hCD147 mice at 2 d.p.i. showed 354 upregulated and 175 downregulated genes). hCD147 mice mediated strong inflammatory responses, including Th17 cell responses, the NF-kappaB pathway and MAPK pathway, etc. The levels of cytokines and chemokines were increased in the lung of hCD147 mice, such as IL6, IL10, ILbeta, CXCL1, CXCL2, CCL2, etc.

Dataset Information

A novel mouse AAV6 hACE2 transduction model of wild-type SARS-CoV-2 infection studied using synDNA immunogens.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure